Dever FIREFLY N306K

Summary

On 4 November 2000 at about 16:40 local time, a Dever FIREFLY registered N306K was involved in an accident near Berlin, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 November 2000 at 16:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Berlin, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Camden County Airport (19N)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Dever FIREFLY

Registration

N306K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC01LA026

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of power for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he checked the fuel supply. The wing tanks were half full, and the fuselage tank, which supplied the engine was full. The pilot further reported that about 5 minutes after takeoff, the engine started to sputter. He checked the tank selector and applied carburetor heat. However, no change in engine performance was experienced, and he headed toward an airport. The engine subsequently lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing in a wooded area. A mechanic who went to the accident site reported one wing tank was empty, and the other was broken open with very little fuel leakage. The fuselage tank was laying nearby, but the mechanic but did not check it for fuel. The mechanic also reported the pilot used automotive gasoline in the airplane. When the airplane was checked by the FAA 6 days later, the fuselage tank had disappeared and could not be located. The FAA inspector reported no blockage in the fuel lines, and fuel was in the lines to the fuel pump. The carburetor bowl was empty, and the spark plugs were gray in appearance with no sooting. The relative humidity was between 65 & 70 percent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.